Why were D.H. Lawrence and Frieda Lawrence suspected by their Cornwall neighbours during World War I?

During World War I, D.H. Lawrence and his wife, Frieda, faced intense suspicion and hostility from their rural neighbours while living in Cornwall due to two primary factors:

• Pacifism: Lawrence’s vocal opposition to the war effort marked him as a subversive figure in a climate of heightened national tension.1
• German Origins: Frieda Lawrence was of German descent, which fueled xenophobic fears among the local population.1

These suspicions escalated to the point that the couple was accused of signaling to German submarines from the coast. Consequently, they were expelled from the county in 1917. This period of persecution significantly impacted Lawrence, ultimately diminishing his desire to participate actively in society.12